HOMEOSTASIS

Dr. K.Jaiganesh, MD
Professor of Physiology
MGMCRI
Homeostasis - Specific learning Objectives

1. Definition of Homeostasis
2. Milieu Interior
3. Feedback mechanisms with examples
4. Gain
5. Failure of Homeostasis
 HOMEOSTASIS
 Homeo : Sameness; Stasis - Standing still.

 Homeostasis : The ability of the body to

maintain a relatively constant internal
environment within physiological limits
despite changes in the external
environment.
 HOMEOSTASIS

 Homeostasis:
The term coined by
Walter B. Cannon
 “milieu interior” :
The term coined by the
French Physiologist
Claude Bernard.
milieu : Ocean
interior : Internal
 Few examples
1. Body temperature
2. Pulse
3. Blood volume
4. Blood pressure
5. pH
6. Electrolytes etc
 Systems maintaining
Homeostasis
1. By Neural system
Quick - But short lived

2. Hormonal system
Late - But Long lasting
 How these systems act?
By Feed back mechanisms

1. Positive FB

2 . Negative FB
Positive FB Mechanism
Negative FB Mechanism
Examples for Positive FB
1. PARTURITION
Posterior Pituitary
Oxytocin
Contraction of uterus

Fetus pushed from uterus

Head causing stretch of Cervix

Impulses from cervix reaching Hypothalamus

 Examples for Positive FB
2.Ovulation
Anterior Pituitary
LH
Ovaries

Oestrogen
3. Ovulation
Examples for Positive FB
3.Blood clotting
 Negative Feedback
1.Thyroxin secretion
Increased Thyroxin level Decreased Thyroxin level

Hypothalamus Hypothalamus
TRH TRH
Anterior Pituitary Anterior Pituitary
TSH TSH
Thyroid gland Thyroid gland

Decreased Thyroxin Increased Thyroxin

secretion secretion
NEGATIVE FB
NEGATIVE FB
NEGATIVE FB
NEGATIVE FB
 GAIN - Example
• When large amounts of blood is transfused to a
person , the BP will increase.
( E.g. 100 mmHg is normal )
• With non functional baroreceptors the rise will be
from 100 mmHg to 175 mmHg.
 With functional baroreceptors the increase will
be from 100 mmHg to 125 mmHg.
 Correction = - 50 mmHg
 Error = + 25 mmHg
 GAIN = CORRECTION / ERROR
- 50 / +25 = - 2
GAIN for BP control by baroreceptor = - 2.
 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN
POSITIVE & NEGATIVE FB
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
1.1% only 1. 99%

2. > Two variables 2. Two variables

3. Intensifies the strength of
3. Attenuates the strength of
the stimuli the stimulus
4. Seen in isolated events
4. Seen in events that require
that do not require
frequent monitoring
frequent monitoring
5. Only in physiological
5. In physiological & conditions
pathological states
 Homeostatic mechanisms may fail due to
Ageing ( Homeostenosis) With aging:
 Body organs and control systems become less
efficient
 Internal environment becomes less and less
stable
 Failure of Homeostatic mechanisms

 Congenital metabolic disorders

 Chromosomal abnormalities

 Environmental Factors

- UV radiation
- Chemical pollutants
 Blueprint- Homeostasis

 Definition with examples

 Positive feedback mechanism with example

 Negative feedback mechanism with example

 Gain

 Failure of homeostasis
 Questions

 Essay Question
Define homeostasis and explain the various feedback
mechanisms with examples.
 Short Questions
1. Write about positive feedback mechanism.

2. Write about negative feedback mechanism.

THANK YOU